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Swift Sword · 06-16-2007, 09:29 AM

Guardian,

Some may construe the Iranians as a threat but objectively, they appear to be the only realistic vehicle by which U.S. grand strategic aims in the Middle East and Central Asia will be achieved.

I am against the proliferation of nuclear weapons as a general principle, but in the case of Iran, the weapons issue is a red herring that serves to distract from the real issues.

The last pro U.S. government of Iran pursued fission weapons, the current anti U.S. government of Iran is pursuing fission weapons and it would be a sucker a bet to wager against the next government not continuing the pursuit regardless of its color or character.

Most of the people on this board are rational enough that if Allah (PBUH) sent them a winged horse to whisk them off to Tehran in a single night where they would be installed as Grand Ayatollah in the morning, they would too would be seeking nuclear weapons.

The Iranian imperative for pursuit of fission weapons is logically and rationally grounded upon the security climate in the region regardless of all that fantasy clap trap that comes out of Ahmadinejad's mouth.

What we have, essentially, is a situation where we need a certain amount of aquiesence, at least, or, cooperation to some degree from Tehran and they need a credible nuclear detterent.

On a more conceptual level, we need their help and they need real security.

This is actually a really good position to open a dialog from since the U.S. is a wholesale purveyor of security (when we are on our A game, at least), and the Iranians are effectively becoming "the cockpit of Asia", as it were.

Furthermore, time is not on the Iranian side. The current populist government appears to be headed towards politically bankruptcy and the political apparatus as a whole will be financially bankrupt in six to eight years according to the smart money.

When we look at Iran as it really is and not as the jingoists would have us believe it is, they do not appear quite as threatening as some seem to think.

One thing is for certain, however: an Iran in a diplomatic orbit that takes them closer to Beijing and Moscow rather than an Anglo-American pole is definitely several magnitudes of threat greater and not productive viz. meeting U.S. goals in the region.

Now this view is not particularly popular with some and this being the W.A.B., contrary opinions will be forthcoming within five minutes ranging from harsh counter battery fire to some fairly well reasoned positions but look for their fruit, not their flower.

Have a good weekend,

William

06-16-2007, 09:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
Swift Sword *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 10-23-05 Location: Carl Perkins' Cadillac Posts: 772	Guardian, Some may construe the Iranians as a threat but objectively, they appear to be the only realistic vehicle by which U.S. grand strategic aims in the Middle East and Central Asia will be achieved. I am against the proliferation of nuclear weapons as a general principle, but in the case of Iran, the weapons issue is a red herring that serves to distract from the real issues. The last pro U.S. government of Iran pursued fission weapons, the current anti U.S. government of Iran is pursuing fission weapons and it would be a sucker a bet to wager against the next government not continuing the pursuit regardless of its color or character. Most of the people on this board are rational enough that if Allah (PBUH) sent them a winged horse to whisk them off to Tehran in a single night where they would be installed as Grand Ayatollah in the morning, they would too would be seeking nuclear weapons. The Iranian imperative for pursuit of fission weapons is logically and rationally grounded upon the security climate in the region regardless of all that fantasy clap trap that comes out of Ahmadinejad's mouth. What we have, essentially, is a situation where we need a certain amount of aquiesence, at least, or, cooperation to some degree from Tehran and they need a credible nuclear detterent. On a more conceptual level, we need their help and they need real security. This is actually a really good position to open a dialog from since the U.S. is a wholesale purveyor of security (when we are on our A game, at least), and the Iranians are effectively becoming "the cockpit of Asia", as it were. Furthermore, time is not on the Iranian side. The current populist government appears to be headed towards politically bankruptcy and the political apparatus as a whole will be financially bankrupt in six to eight years according to the smart money. When we look at Iran as it really is and not as the jingoists would have us believe it is, they do not appear quite as threatening as some seem to think. One thing is for certain, however: an Iran in a diplomatic orbit that takes them closer to Beijing and Moscow rather than an Anglo-American pole is definitely several magnitudes of threat greater and not productive viz. meeting U.S. goals in the region. Now this view is not particularly popular with some and this being the W.A.B., contrary opinions will be forthcoming within five minutes ranging from harsh counter battery fire to some fairly well reasoned positions but look for their fruit, not their flower. Have a good weekend, William __________________ Pharoh was pimp but now he is dead. What are you going to do today?